Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular Updates On The Horizon?

“X’ never marks the spot”. Well, Indiana, sometimes it does and we’re hoping it does in regards to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular update. Rumors around what Disney World could do with the famed archeologist have been going a variety of directions. From a dedicated new land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to leaving the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular unchanged, and everything in between. Put on your favorite hiking boots, we’re going on an adventure to find the mystical “X”!

Steven Spielburg and Harrison Ford

What Everything Hinges On

A successful intellectual property (IP) is the backbone to every new Walt Disney World attraction. From Guardians of the Galaxy, to Frozen and even the rumors around a Lion Kingride, they all have one thing in common – box office success. Some Disneyphiles even call this the $1 billion mark. The mark of which a Disney movie needs to surpass to ensure a Disney attraction.

For the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular a successful IP is a foregone conclusion. An update to the attraction is hinging on the release of the fifth movie in the saga. On May 7, 2019, Disney Studios unveiled its movie release schedule for the next 3 to 4 years. What stood out was the release date for the next Indiana Jones film got pushed to 2021.

Scene from Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

What Could We See

As we spoke about in our previous Indiana Jones article, we could see an Indiana Jones themed land replace the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at some point. The one thing that is becoming more and more apparent, especially with the rumors around Ice Age moving into Dinoland, is that the land will probably not be in the Animal Kingdom.

According to Jim Hill of Jim Hill Media, an update to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is in the works for 2021. The update is centered around keeping the attraction as a stunt show. Disney World is planning to rework the show to include scenes from the fifth installment of the franchise, along with the removal of the “placed” guest scene gone wrong. No spoilers for anyone who hasn’t seen the show.

Passholder Insights: The later shows for Indiana Jones tend to more busy than the earlier shows. We recommend arriving about 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Opening of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

Beyond The Show

If you’re going to update something, why not go all in! As part of the update to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectaculars, Walt Disney World is looking at expanding the presences of the IP within Hollywood Studios. Currently, the gift shop associated with the attraction, the Adventure Outpost, is not geographically adjacent to the show pavilion. The shop sits detached from the show, off to the left when facing the entrance. As part of the update, the plan would be to move the exit of the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and retheme it to more of a Moroccan bazaar which would serve as the gift shop. Making this change would require Disney to reroute how guests leave the show.

In addition to the new shop, Disney is looking at adding an Indiana Jones meet and greet at the attractions exit. All of these updates are scheduled for 2021 and it is projected the overall project would take about 6 months to complete.

Passholder Insights: The area where the Indiana Jones meet and greet would go is currently home to a variety of movie props from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade film.

Our Thoughts

It’s wonderful to hear that the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular could see a facelift as part of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary. Especially, since it’s our favorite show at Hollywood Studios. We will still have some time to wait to see if the project is green lit or not, as everything is hinging on the new film’s success. Based on the 2021 projected release date, the movie would have to kick off production this summer. Once filming begins there is definitely a better chance that we’ll see a new stunt show and potential find the mystical “X” that’s been evading us for years!